Table and rack for binding apparatus



Sept. 2, 1958 1. SPINNER 2,350,341

TABLE AND RACK FOR BINDING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 15, 1954 i 1 4 F I fi fi JEzEqwfiE-r 15 1002: SPINNER United States This invention relates to apparatus for use in binding books, pamphlets, or other assemblies of slotted sheets by means of tubular binders consisting of a number of resilient, normally curled teeth or rings extending from a common backing.

The invention deals more particularly with the arrangement and construction of shelving for supporting unbound slotted sheets of varying sizes in positions where they can be conveniently grasped and placed in position to receive the tubular binders held in uncurled position on a binder inserter device.

An object of this invention is to provide a work supporting shelf structure which is usable in conjunction with a binder inserter, wherein the shelf has a movable section which may be positioned in a vertical direction to act as a retaining wall at the rear of the shelf and, further, wherein the movable section may be either removedcompletely from the shelf structure or may be mounted so that its top surface is flush with the rest of the shelf to provide a larger supporting area for slotted sheets which cannot be otherwise accommodated by the shelf structure.

A further object of this invention is to provide a shelf structure of the above character which is of economical construction and which can support heavy loads.

The attainment of the above and further objects of i the invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus making up the preferred form or" the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of a por tion of the shelf structure, with the alternate position of the movable shelf section shown in dotted lines;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary top view of the shelf structure shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the shelf structure taken along section line 4-4 in Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a rear view of the shelf structure.

Reference should now be made to the drawings where like reference numerals indicate similar elements throughout.

The invention includes a work table 2 having legs 4 and an elevated table top or platform 6 on which is supported a binder inserter 8, a shelf structure 10 for supporting stacks of unbound sheets, and an inverted channel-shaped member 12 for supporting partially bound sheets extending from the inserter.

The arrangement and construction of the various aforementioned elements are such that large or small unbound sheets of material may be stacked in positions which are readily accessible to the operator of the inserter 8, so that a minimum of time is required to grasp a group of slotted sheets to be bound, arrange them so that their slots are in registry, and then place them in a position on the inserter where the curled resilient rings atent G l l 2,850,341 Ice Patented Sept. 2, 1958 or teeth of a comb-shaped binder are threaded through the slots of the sheets.

The inserter 8 may be of any suitable type as,vfor example, one having a row of binder support pins 14 extending up from a longitudinally movable, elongated block 16, and a series of laterally movable binder ring engaging books 18 aligned in a row in front of the binder support pins 14. Space is provided in a tray section 20 behind the support pins for storing a number of binders in a position where they may be grasped and quickly inserted in position against the binder support pins 14. The backbone of a binder is braced against the rear of the pins 14 with the curled binder rings extending forward between the pins 14. In this position the books 18 are between the binder rings.

The inserter 8 is operated by a foot pedal 24 pivoted on a rod 25 extending between the front legs 4 of the table 2. A connecting rod 26 extends between the end of the foot pedal 24 and suitable mechanism within the inserter 8. The elongated block 16 is manually moved longitudinally so that the hooks 18 enter the binder rings. Depression of the foot pedal 24 then pulls the rod 26 down, which in turn causes the binder ring engaging hooks 18 to move away from the binder support pins 14 so as to uncurl the binder rings. An inserter which operates in this manner is disclosed in co-pending application Serial No. 406,570, filed January 27, 1954.

In accordance with the invention, the shelf structure 14) is so constructed and located that stacks of small or large unbound sheets are readily accessible to the operator so that a minimum of time is required to bind a given number of sheets. The shelf structure 10, illustrated in the drawings, is constructed of two sheet metal pieces 30 and 32. The sheet metal piece 30 is shaped and bent into a shelf structure having two longitudinally spaced, rectangular, vertical end walls 34 with narrow, vertically extending strengthening flanges 35 at its front and rear edges and inwardly turned, horizontal seating flanges 36 at the bottom of said end walls, which seating flanges rest on the table top 6. The end Walls 34 and the associated flanges constitute supporting legs for the raised rectangular shelf or platform 38 formed by the main body of the sheet metal piece 30. The shelf 38 has a horizontal top surface which merges with the top of the end Walls 34. A narrow flange 41 depends from the front edge of the shelf 33 and overlies the top of the front vertical leg flanges 35. A narrow flange 42 depends from the rear of the shelf 38 and overlies the rear vertical leg flanges 36. The bottom of the flange 42 is curved rearwardly and vertically upwardly at 44 to define a narrow, vertical, open-top channel or slot 46 (Fig. 2), the function of which will be explained late A pair of vertically extending channel members 48 are welded or otherwise secured to the outer surfaces of the end walls 34 adjacent the upper, rear edges thereof. The tops of the channel members 48 are spaced a small distance below the top of the shelf 38. A vertical, open-top guideway 50 having walls on all sides thereof is defined between the channel members 48 and the end walls 34. The channel members are spaced forward of the rear edge of the end walls 34.

The other sheet metal piece 32 of the shelf assembly is adapted to be orientated vertically along the rear edge of the shelf 38 to form a rear retaining wall for the shelf, as shown in solid lines in the drawings, or, alternatively, may be orientated horizontally flush with the shelf 38, as shown in dotted lines in the drawings, to form a rear shelf section to increase the overall shelf area of the shelf structure.

The sheet metal piece 32 has a rectangular central sectio'n 52 whose--peripheral regions have been bent into the same direction to form-twolongitudinal flanges-54 and two end flanges 56, which flanges are in planes at right angles to the central seetion 52 of the sheet metal tane' between '-the outer surfaces -'of""the*end walls 34' of the other sheet rrietalpiee'e"3o0.

A pair of "reetangular mtal' strips 58 are 'welded or otherwise secured 'to there'sp'e'ctiveend= flanges- 56 of the shefimet al piece 32; The strips areflushwith thecentral' sectibn 52*and extend be dns'bneof the longitudinal flanges' 54 and-at right '-'angles' thereto "to form tongues which are adapfed to bere'ceived Within guideways SO 'at th'e -sids ofthe vertical end walls 34; to support the sheet metal piece in a vertibaf'direction. The widths of the' tongues or strips 58 are made less than the 'distanee from the mp or me chant-members f48 to' the top of the -'-shelf '38 fo1' I reasons tofbe explained. Also, the fofiwa'rdrdostdefining walls ofthe guideways "50 are spaeed-fforward-oftherear edge of {the end walls a dis tance' jsubstantially equahtothefwidths of the longitudinal'fla'nges54 of thesheetmetal piece 32 Where 'small'or average sizedsheets' are to' be bound byfthe binder-inserting device the" sheet 'metal piece 32 is orientated ina vertical"di'rectior:1'so that'the central pi'e'c'e 52Ethereof extends upwardlyfrom the real-of the shelf 38? as showninsolid"1ines"in"the drawings. In

' this pe'sition; the piece-"32 formsia retaining wall for the stacks-of sheets to be supported on'the'shelf38; and the retaining wall"helps to maintainthe alignment of the sheet-S'- I which are stacked" thereon? T'oisecurethe' sheet metal--piece 32-in position' on the ishelf'38, the piece 32 is or int'a'ted in a vertical direction-with the projecting ends of the tonguesSS pointingtlownward and the flanges of-the pi'eee facing rearwardlyof the table 2. The'sheet met the ong'ues SS -eXtend-intotheguideways SOto'rmedbe tween the channeI members 48' and the end 'walls '34;

Th downward rnovem'ent'bf the sheefm'etal piece" 32 of -thepiece 32 defined by-the edges of the longitudinal flanges s t are flushiwith-the 're'ar'edge' of "the end walls 342 The tongues' 58 ex'tendan' appreciable distaneewith in the guideways50 and thusthe sheet metal piece'32' is Draced securely ina vertical position.

Wh'en unusually large"shee'tsf of material are to'be bound'g the sheetmetal piece32j'is secured ina 'horiZ'on tal p'osition and flush with thefshefff38; was to increase 46- formed by'the upturned-endofthejrearshelf flange 42. Sin'ce the width of the=flange 54 was made equal torthe distance between thetopof the shelf 38 and the bottom of the'channel"46jthef'top of'thecentral portion 52 of the piece 32 will then be' flush'wi'th the top of the shelf 38. To enable the piece' 32 to assume this position,--the'length of theupturnedportion '44-'of the rear shelf flange 42-must be-slightlyless than the"distnce between the inner faces of the end" flanges-'56 of*the sheet metal .piece- 32, Otherwise, the-sheet metal'piece "could" not fit over the upturnededge44 since the bottom of the end-flanges 56 would rest on the tops-of .theupturned flange portion 44 ancl thereby prevent thevflange'i l from entering the slot 46.

reasons whichwill" be "explained;- The overall length f the sheet mefal' piece 32 is equal to the-"dis" piece- 32 is then lowereddnto a position such' that Since the width of the tongues 58 were made less than the-distance between the top of the guide-forming mem-' 'bers 48. and the top of the shelf 38, the tongues extend freely above the members 48 when the piece 32 is in the aforementioned horizontal position. The sheet metal piece 32 is thus cantilevered from the rear of the sheet metal piece 30, and it is therefore desirable to provide additional means for securingfithe. sheet metal piece 32 in place. To this end, .holes 62 are formedin the-ends of the tongues 58 an'cl'hole's 64 arerdrmd, in the end Walls 34 of the sheet'me'ta'l piece 30.4 The apertures 62 and 64 are in registry when the sheet metal piece 32is supported within "thehorizontally" extending channeli46. A securing pin 66 is connected totheend of a chain 68 anchored to each of the end walls and each pin 66 is extended through one of the aligned pairs of holes 62 and 64 to anchor the sheet metal piece 32 to the sheet metal piece 30 when the former piece is orientated in its horizontalposition." o o The shelf assembly; 10 is preferably'rnad asa separate integral unitfrom '-the table Zand thebinder-insertingi device 8? The"'sh'elf 'ass'em'bly"is"located-on the top. of

theside edge "of the table top "asufli'cient distance to leave a space "71extending'ffromthe 'front 'to' the rear edge of the tabletop on whichthe complet dbound sheets may. be placed following their removalfroni'tlie binderainserting'device'8i" The tabletopv 61's so dimensioned :thatthe front edge thereof' is spaced from the front of the shelf assembly 10 asufiicient distance to accommodate most'of the inserter Sand the platfor'm 12. Ifthe' shelf 38 "overhung m'o'st of'the'inse'rter aecess tofthbindrs' stored in rear of the tray20wou1d'fbebloeked by the shelft38. The shelf 38"isat anelevation"which-enables a person of ordinary height-toreach"the=shets' supported-on the shelf 38 from thefr ont' or the table 6. I

In the binder-inserting device 8shown in the drawings, the"'binder 'support"pin's14"are located onlya 'small distance fr'om the front of the device.- Forreasons which will be soon explained; it-'hasbeen found desirable to place aplatform in frontof the binder inserting device 8." To 'thisend, the channel shaped member 12is inverted and placed on'the' table-top so that it provides a horizontal platform elevatedabove'the table top. 6'

and at approximately the same elevationfas the, top of the block 16"of th'e binder-inserting device. member 12 is positionedasuflici'ent distance in front? of the"binderinsertertl to "enablethe binder ring-engaging completely'throughfthegroup' 'ofsheets beingboundf In order to completely extend'the'binder rings through the slots of the group of sheets being bound it is necessary topivbt the sheets"throu'gl'1"whi'ch' the teeth have been extended 'froma-vertica1 position in front of the fingers 14 of the inserter into a horizontal position so that the ends of th'e bindern'ngs' rn'a'yhe extended through the remainder' of 'th'e vertically orientatedrsheets' without interference;- The platform70 'associated "with the channel member 12- supports the partiallybound" sheets in the horizontal position-L The platform 7 0 also'provides -a convenient surfaceito ahgn thesheets to be bbimd=just= riorto their insertion" in the inserter.

The channel In compliance with the requirements of the patent statutes I have here shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention. It is, however, to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise construction here shown, the same being merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. What I consider new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A shelf structure for supporting unbound slotted sheets in a position to be quickly placed in position on a binder inserter, said shelf structure including a front shelf section in a sheet supporting position and a rear shelf section movable with respect to said front shelf section, means for supporting said rear shelf section in an upstanding position comprising respective tongues extending from the opposite sides of one of said shelf sections, guideway-forming members secured to the sides of the other shelf section and forming open-end guideways adapted to receive said tongues, and means for supporting said rear shelf in a sheet supporting position flush with the front shelf section comprising a U-shaped channel-forming member extending along one of the longitudinal edges of one of said shelf sections and a flange on the other self section adapted to extend into the channel of said latter member and engage the defining walls thereof.

2. A shelf structure for supporting unbound slotted sheets in a position to be quickly placed in position on a binder inserter device, said shelf structure including a shelf and a rear section movable with respect to said shelf, means for supporting said rear section in an upstanding position comprising a projecting tongue extending parallel to a sheet-supporting surface of the rear section, a guideway-forming member connected to the shelf and forming an open-top guideway adapted to receive said tongue, and means for supporting said rear section in a sheet-supporting position flush with said shelf comprising a U-shaped channel-forming member extending along the rear longitudinal edge of said shelf and below the top thereof, and a flange extending from the sheetsupporting surface of said rear section and being of a depth equal to the distance between the top of said shelf and the bottom of the U-shaped channel of said channelforming member.

3. A shelf structure having supporting legs and a rectangular shelf supported on said legs, a rear section behind and movable with respect to said shelf, said legs comprising a pair of longitudinally spaced, rectangular upstanding end walls depending from the sides of said shelf, said shelf having a flange which has an upturned end forming a U-shaped channel located below the top surface of said shelf, said rear section including a central sheet-supporting'portion and a peripheral flange projecting at right angles from said central portion and having a depth equal to the distance from the top of said shelf to the bottom of said U-shaped channel, whereby said peripheral flange may extend into and engage said upturned flange and thereby support said rear section in a sheetsupporting position, said rear section including projecting portions which are adapted to straddle said end walls when said rear section is supported in a sheet-supporting position from the rear of said shelf, said projecting portions of said rear section and the end walls of said shelf having holes in registry with one another when said rear section is in said latter position, and respective pins adapted to extend through said holes to anchor said rear section in place to said shelf.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 7 292,657 Kirkpatrick Jan. 29, 1884 1,609,355 Holle Dec. 7, 1926 1,869,001 Allen July 26, 1932 2,120,197 Adams June 7, 1938 2,334,815 Emmer Nov; 23, 1943 2,338,911 Emmer Jan. 11, 1944 2,354,106 Cooper July 18, 1944 2,377,432 Lear June 5, 1945 2,415,604 Nalley Feb. 11, 1947 

